Last Saturday, Sun managing editor James O’Connor decided that for both personal and professional reasons, he was going to shelve his Editor’s Notebook column after almost eight years and some 300 editions. The response to his decision has been significant. He was clearly loved or hated. Here are some of the comments made in the days after his announcement taken from both the Sound Off submission line, and from social media and unsigned letters.
O’Connor gave us a little extra — and we all read about it!
I read a lot of newspapers — mostly online, mostly Canadian — and I can’t recall ever seeing a working editor produce such an outspoken and controversial political column such as James O’Connor has been doing each week. Most managing or executive editors will occasionally write a short piece on some internal issue at the particular publication. But Mr. O’Connor was going after blood. I wonder if he really did drop the column on his own accord? Or did he finally step on one too many toes?
Short and sweet
Damn. Best part of Saturday paper ...
Column had a STRONG voice
No matter the stripe, as far as having a viewpoint, Brandon was better for having James’s voice and ideas represented. It will be missed.
Now what?
The first thing I read every Saturday was O’Connor’s column.
Paper will be better
I will look forward to Saturday’s Sun now that the page dedicated to the glorification of O’Connor will no longer appear.
O’Connor the Bully
Editor cancels column! Typical bully tactics. When people stand up to bullies, they usually run away like little girls! If he really believed in his statements, he would act like a man and defend them! Instead, he runs away like a girly man! Typical of this editor. If he thinks the mayor is doing a great job then he should stand his ground and not run away like a chicken! He has been exposed as another bully with no gonads!
Bring it back, James
I’ve known James O’Connor for quite some time. Years ago, he was considered one of the best photographers in Western Canada. While his writing has never risen to the level of his photo skills, he still cobbled together a darn good read every Saturday. He spoke the truth and held no punches. I hope his column returns some day.
I was shocked
Quite a shocker this am reading Mr. O’Connor’s column for the last time. I will miss it but must say you had a good run, and gave it your best. I hope this will free you up a bit to find a new lease on life. I can just imagine the feedback on this one. The Brandon Sun will still be high on my list and I will always check it out if I still can get it.
Thought-provoking column
Sorry to read your last column today, it was always thought-provoking and entertaining! Thanks for all the great reads!
Don’t let the door hit you ...
Know that he’s stopped writing his weekly piece of trash, what will my budgie have to aim at now? Seriously, I want to read serious topics by well-travelled experienced and respected columnists. Not just someone who wrote about his friends or used the Sun for some kind of journal therapy each week.
Wish you well
Thanks for years of good work writing Editor’s Notebook! Wishing you the very best in your new focus at the Brandon Sun.
Keep writing Notebook
Just about fell off my throne Saturday morning while reading “Local Viewpoint” about the end of O’Connor’s column. The Editor’s Notebook column is the only reason I get up extra early Saturday a.m. If you are so busy James, hire an assistant managing editor to “clean up your desk” so you can keep writing your column, or I’ll cancel my subscription.
(From James O’Connor: Thanks to all who wrote — both fans and critics — I have also bumped into many people in the street and in stores who have given me some appreciated feedback over what the column meant to them. I’m truly humbled and very flattered. As a result, I’ll do my best to reorganize my workload (with staff also back from extended vacations) and I should be creatively recharged enough by January to bring my column back. And please, don’t stop reading the Sun just because my column is on what I’ll now officially call a ‘hiatus.’)
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition September 1, 2012
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